Fast Facts
Title: The Jay Leno Show
Host: Jay Leno
Band Leader: Kevin Eubanks
Band: Name TBD
Announcer: John Melendez
Format: Traditional one-hour late night talk show format
Broadcast information: 10 to 11 p.m., NBC, weeknights.
Tapes: NBC Studios, Burbank, Calif.
Premiere Date: Sept. 14, 2009
Overview:
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno launches his own talk show, The Jay Leno Show, on Sept 14., 2009, on NBC at 10 p.m., reportedly the first show to be stripped across the 10 o’clock primetime hour, Monday through Friday.
The debut follows a carefully orchestrated transition period between The Tonight Show and NBC’s Late Night that took place over the course of nearly five years. It began when Leno announced his decision to retire from The Tonight Show in 2004, and Conan O'Brien was soon named his successor.
Though there was some mildly tense moments in late 2008 and early 2009 when Leno seemed to resist the idea of leaving The Tonight Show, the transition was amicable. O'Brien took over for Leno on June 1, 2009.
Not too much is known about Leno’s new show, save that it will be very similar in comedy tone and personality to his Tonight Show. Band leader Kevin Eubanks and announcer John Melendez will return in similar roles.
The timeslot will require some adjustment, as a block of time at midnight (six minutes of commercials) will be reduced in the new hour. Leno also plans to entice viewers to both stick to the end of his show – and stick with their local news – but introducing a comedy segment at the end of the program. He’ll also hold sway over a new stage in a larger studio. Leno is planning to get celebrity guests more involved in stunts and antics, as well.
Many favorite things – including popular segments like Jaywalking, in which Leno asks on-the-street questions and receives hilarious responses, and Headlines, in which Leno jokes about real news headlines – will remain.
Fans can get a preview of the show, watch behind-the-scenes video blogs from talent coordinator Bryan Branly and band member Vicki Randall on the show’s official site.
